Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-12

and unjust systems, in pursuance OF "hicn
there will be no time for making the order
a Battlefield wherein to avenge real or inn
aginary or personal grievances.
THE srcRErARY's REPORT.
General Secretary Litchman presented
his report to the Knights of Labor conven-
tion to-day. Since the last General As
sembly he says the apparent decrease OF
membership has been 1876 900, but most OF
it, he intimates, is composed OF those who
came into the order during the rush OF
1886. and who proved themselves weak
ness rather than strength. He recommends
the establishment of q cooperative savings
association; also that State assemblies be
compulsory instead of permissive. In con-
clusion he declares his Office has been made
almost uncomfortable on account OF persecu-
ton by enemies among the order.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
The report of the General Executive
Board is very long. The committee takes
up in regular order !, 1888 cases. on which it
has passed during the year. The most OF
these are insigni6cant and few have any
public interest. Among the most import
ant documents referred to is the report OF
the Committee on Conspiracy appointed at
the Richmond convention. After prelimi-
nary report of investigations and results
"black lists" ''Your committee are mostly
of the opinion that a speedy example
should be made in some way OF the many
cases of conspiracy that are constantly
arising, as it is very evident the laws are
being used for the
INTIMIDATION OF OUR BROTHERS
everywhere with scarcely an exception, and
that the sooner such an example is success
fully made the better it will be. not only
| for the Knights of Labor, but for society
generally. Employers should be made to
understand that laws are not alone made
| for their special benefit" Members of the
order are recommended to refuse to pur-
| chase Il great number of goods on account
| of the makers opposition to t order.
| The report from the Committee on State
of the Order rehearses q discussion with a
| similar committee from tie Trades Union
| last December, when an attempt was made
the Knights. In closing the committee
! said: "Our opinion is that so-called
grievances, il they do exist, are rather
ACCEPTABLE THAN OTHERWISE
to some persons, in their organizations
| being used by them to accomplish selfish
| purposes, and we believe q circular from
; our order sent to all trade and Labor
unions explaining our position on thu
question of trade organization within the
order would result in much gOod.' At the
afternoon session reports were received
from Committees on Education and com
pilation of the conspiracy laws. The Secre
tary of the Cooperative Board presented
it's report, which makes many valuable
suggestions. Among other thins!
it is asked that the boarC
be given power to establish co
operative agricultural and machinery
mandatory, to be run on \ grand scale
The supposition is that should the conven
ton ratify this recommen lation, the head
quarters will be at this city and it's works
adjacent.
DIFFICULTY ADJUSTED.
Another recommendation is to adopt {
cooperative farm in Minnesota in Crov
and Wing counties. The statement OF tn
Executive Board with reference to the di!
ficulty with District Assembly No. IL
makes the first point that John Morrison
the prime mover in the trouble, is no
The Richmond Convention sustai
this decision. He has ma
} an opportunity to reinstate himself, but
has not taken advantage of it.. The di'
trict steadily refused to obey his orders
even after Higgins & Company's strike "
settled, and resolved in it's meeting not t
comply with the order of the board. MI
Powderly said tonight, this is t he best COZ
vention of Knights ever held. They are.
said, five days ahead of the Richmond col
| yention in point of time.